Illuminated advertising device



July 1927' w. G. SHELTON ILLUMINATED ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed Sept. 18. 1922 INVENTOR 10% By Attorneys,

,............. Mixaw g UMWWW E. II

Patented Jul, 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM GENTRY SHELTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HALLIWELL-SHELTON ELECTRIC CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ILLUMINATEID ADVERTISING DEVICE.

Application filed September 18, 1922. Serial 110. 588,784.

This invention relates to illuminated signs or the like making use of Geissler tubes and aims to provide improvements therein.

The invention provides a sign of the character de?cribed in which the illuminated part stands out clearly and prominently from the remainder of the apparatus, which conveniently comprises a portable cabinet containing the high frequency generating parts.

The invention further provides a novel combination of a Geissler tube sign, and an intermittent switch, as a so-called thermostatic flasher, for intermittently illuminating the sign, whereby the effect of the device as a sign is enhanced.

The invention further provides a high frequency current generating set, preferably comprising a portable cabinet, so arranged as to readily admit of the substitution of illuminated tubes, and adapted to receive tubes of varying length.

The invention further provides bipolar tubes, connected in such way with the generating parts that the generating parts in connection with each pole cooperates with or reinforces the parts connected with the other pole, whereby a bright and full illumination is obtained in the tube throughout its length.

The invention further provides an interrupter especially adaptable for securing a relatively permanent adjustment of the spark-gap over which a high frequency current oscillates.

The invention further provides Geissler tubes, which in use will show a rational duration, and which are especially adapted to use as part of a sign or advertising device.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the sign and the high frequency current generating parts and cabinet. I

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view, with the tubes removed.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3-3, Fig. 2. v

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional View of part of one of the Geissler tubes, and

Fig. 5 is a view showing a diagram of the wiring.

Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrams used in connection with the description.

Referring to said drawings, numerals 10, 10 designate the illuminated sign or signs in the form of Geissler tubes, and 15 designates the parts as a whole for generatin high frequency currents, preferably enclosed in a cabinet 1 The tubes 10 may be of various forms or designs, being here shown as bent in the form of script 19. The tubes 10 are preferably bipol-ar, having terminals 21, 22 at each end. The generator is conveniently provided with sockets 24, 25, each connected with the high tension winding of a transformer.

Two high tension transformers 28, 29 are preferably provided, one connected to a socket 24 at one end of the sign 10, and the other to a socket 25 at the opposite end of the sign. It has been found that these transformers 28, 29 may be connected in such way as to either work in opposition or in cooperation. By connecting the primaries of each transformer so that the current flows through these coils in opposite directions, the transformers will cooperate or assist one another in producing the currents or discharges in the Geissler tubes. Graphically, primaries connected as in Fig. 6 will' assist one another, whereas primaries connected as in Fig. 7 will work in opposition.

The high frequency generator 15 may therefore comprise terminals 31, 32 adapted to be connected to an ordinary lighting system, a conductor 34 leading from terminal 31 connected to an inductance 36 and a conductor 38, having branches 39, 40 connected to one side of a condenser 42 and to the armature 44 of an interrupter 45. From contact 46 of the interupter 45 a conductor 48 leads to the primaries 50, 52 of two hightension transformers 28, 29, these two primaries being connected so as to assist each other, as explained above. The opposite sides of the primaries 50, 52, and the opposite side of the condenser 42 are connected 1 to the other terminal 32 through conductors 54, 55, 56, 57 and 57 58, respectively.

A thermostatic flasher 70. is preferably introduced into the circuit to the interrupter, by means of which an intermittent operation 10 of the high-frequency generator may be obtained.

The secondary coils 60, 62 of the high tension transformers 28, 29 may be grounded on the primaries 50, 52 and connected at their 119 other ends to the electrodes 64, 66 in the Geissler tubes 10.

When a connection is established through the terminals 31, 32 with a lighting circuit, current flows from terminal 31 through conductor 34, coil 36, conductors 38. 40, the armature 44 and contact 46 of the interrupter, conductor 48, and primaries 50, 52, conductors 54, 55, 56, 57 to the terminal 32. \Vhen the armature 44 is drawn awayby the electromagnetic effect of the coil 36, a spark is produced between the armature and contact 46, thereby setting up a high-frequency oscillation from the condenser 42. This high frequency oscillation passing through the primaries 50, 52 produces a. high electromotive force in the secondaries 60, 62, which thereby causes a current to flow in the Geissler tube or tubes 10, thereby producing an illumination of these tubes. The illumination will be intermittent or continuous according to whether or not an inter mittent switch 70 is included in the circuit. These high frequency oscillations, with small currents, as is well known, do not produce shocks to the human system and consequently the present sign can be used without objection on the part of the users or civil authorities as being of a dangerous nature. The ordinary high tension induction coil or high tension alternating current transformer (in which the frequency corresponds to that of the mechanical interrupter or cycle of generator) produces a current which is different in its effect on the human system than the high frequency current produced by the condenser discharges of the present invention.

The ends 80, 81 of the Geissler tubes 10 preferably constitute the physical supports for the tubes, are of such length as to support the script in clear outline above the cabinet 17, and are conveniently provided with terminals 21, 22 adapted to make contact with the sockets 24, 25, in said cabinet. These sockets are conveniently made adjustable toward and from one another. as indicated at 85, in order to accommodate signs, or script, of different length. Moreover, a plurality of these pairs of sockets 24, 25 are provided, so that a sign consisting of several words, for example, may be made up of a plurality of Geissler tubes.

In order to support or reinforce the part of the tubes 10 between the supports 80, 81, a reinforcing bar or tie piece 82 is preferably provided. This reinforcing bar is conveniently in the form of a glass rod running from one support 80 to another 81, and joined to said supports, as indicated at 83.

The ends 80, 81 of the tube or tubes 10 are preferably considerably enlarged, so as to constitute reservoirs for the rarified gas used therein; otherwise the gas becomes ionized and too rare to further conduct the current after a relatively short time. Tubes having enlarged ends, substantially as shown, have a duration of around 1000 hours. These enlarged ends are preferably blackened, as indicated at 84, so that the lllumination therein will not be evident, and thereby detract from the effect produced by the script or sign proper.

For pressing the armature 44 of the interrupter into contact with the contact 46, the armature is mounted on a lever 88. and this lever is acted upon by a weight 89 adjustable thereon. By this means a relatively permanent adjustment of the length of the spark-gap between the armature 44 and contact 46 may be obtained. a result which cannot be practically obtained by the use of a spring.

The inventive idea herein set forth may receive other embodiments than those herein specifically illustrated and described.

What is claimed is:

1. An illuminated sign comprising a Geissler tube having electrodes at each end, and two transformers one connected to each electrode for producing a discharge from each electrode.

2. An illuminated sign comprising a Geissler tube having electrodes ateach end, and two transformers one connected to each electrode for producing a discharge from each electrode, said transformers being connected to assist one another in producing the discharge from said electrodes.

3. An illuminated sign comprising a cabinet, and a Geissler tube, said Geissler tube having a visible illuminated portion, and end portions projecting through the top of said cabinet, said illuminated portion standing clear above said cabinet.

4. An illuminated sign comprising a cabinet, and a Geissler tube, said Geissler tube having a visible illuminated portion, and end portions projecting through the top of said cabinet, said illuminated. portion standing clear above said cabinet, said cabinet having sockets for detachably receiving the ends of said tube.

5. An illuminated sign comprising a cabinet, and a Geissler tube, said Geissler tube having a visible illuminated portion,.and end portions projecting through the top of said cabinet, said illuminated portion standing clear above said cabinet, said cabinet having sockets for detachably receiving the ends of said tube, said sockets being adjustable to receive tubes of different length.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

WILLIAM GENTRY SHELTON. 

